Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group

I have a German Shepherd Dog, Oliver, with elbow dysplasia in both front legs. The condition emerged when Oliver was 10 months old, requiring successive surgeries on the two legs.

Above all else, my experience with VMSG surgeons Dr. Bruecker and Dr. Raleigh has been WONDERFUL. The surgeries were successful, and coupled with very clear advise for how to care for Oliver during his recovery and beyond. I'm touching a lot of wood as I write this, but it's been seven years since the condition first emerged, and Oliver is the most puppyish of eight year old Shepherds.

Oliver had a flare-up a couple of days ago, probably the result of landing heavily on a front leg and producing some severe inflammation that terrified me. VMSG fit me a day later. After an initial consultation, Dr. Raleigh recommended a series of CT scans, which they were able to perform on the spot. The news was good -- a transitory injury, not requiring new surgery. And Dr. Raleigh took his time with me, explaining the scans and answering all of my many questions.

The rest of the practice is equally exemplary. The front desk personnel are friendly and helpful, and the technicians (nurses?) who bring dogs and owners into the examination area, taking the dog's weight and history, are warm and caring.

Let me put it this way... I live in Santa Barbara, and have a vet there whom I think the world of (Dr. Kathleen McFarland of White's Pet Hospital). I've been going to her since the 1990s. But when it comes to the specialized requirements of bone surgery, Dr. McFarland referred me to VMSG, in Ventura.

I cannot say enough good about VMSG. I hope you never need them. (But when you do, they're the best!)

The Doctor and staff are friendly and caring. From our consultation I knew we were in great hands. Our surgery went perfect and we are grateful! :)

Dr. Peck compassionately explained what she believed was wrong with our Lab, Honey. Because of Honey’s age she continued to inform us about the high cost of complete X-ray that would definitely explain everything that a 13 year old Lab could have and instead she simply explained so we could understand. She and her staff sent us home with medicine to help Honey and sent us home with Hope. Everyone there were kind and caring.

Our 9.5 year old Golden Retriever, Lulu was admitted to the hospital as a last ditch try to figure out what was wrong with her yesterday 10/4/23.
She was in bad shape and was admitted for the night.
Two hours later we were called back to the hospital and informed Lulu was terminal with Myasthenia Gravis.
They knew we wanted her to be at home, so they gave her an IV, a catheter, and meds and sent her home with us.
The hospital staff was so knowledgeable, kind, efficient and caring. Dr Peck was wonderful.
A lesser place would have just kept her for the night and she probably would have died without us there.
Instead they thought of our desires, even though made less money doing so. That is true caring.
Lulu died today in her own bed with us beside her. We are sad but grateful for this hospital, the staff and their ethics. Highly recommended.

During one of the most frightening times of my life, the incredible staff really helped to ease my anxiety. Their loving nature helped to ease my worries and I knew my little girl would receive the care needed with the upmost compassion. Lauren, was by far, the most loving and comforting human. She embodies what defines the kind of heart needed for the job because not just anyone could do that job with such ease and knowledge. I could not be anymore appreciative for the care and love my Jade received. Thank you from the bottom of mine & Jade's hearts. ❤❤

The staff are knowledgeable, caring, professional and helpful in their treatment of animals. Misty is the BEST and we know the treatment care given helped heal our cat. They first helped us 12 years ago with our beloved german shepherd Solomon during end of life disease. Compassionate, caring, knowledgeable.

I recently took both of my pups for different needs to VMSG and had a wonderful experience each time. They provided follow up calls with status updates regularly on my hospitalized pup and quickly transferred our records to our usual vet once discharged for continuity of care.

Highly recommend this business. They took care of my sweet 17 year old boy and kept me updated on the progress. The staff is all professional, caring and efficient. I came in with an emergency, no appointment, and was out of there in a few hours with everything I needed. Thank you for a great experience!

The staff and Drs all took care of our little guy when he broke his leg. We called around frantically when it happened and they took us in right away. He’s healing nicely and loving being able to play with his brothers again. Now the wait to get back on the sand to play.

Besides the facility being very clean all staff were kind, caring & professional. Dr. Beth Favaloro tended to my dog and I found her to be so very sweet and knowledgeable. Also the tech (not sure if that term is correct) Misti was very helpful & also had a wealth of knowledge when I shared some issues I had in general with my MBT. No one was judgmental about what a dumb thing I had done. Something we can all learn more how to be.

Be patient and kind. It operates like a regular ER on weekends and is just as busy too. The most critical cases prioritized first, even if they check in after you. Allowing the staff to do their best work for all critters needing care rather than responding and explaining this to impatient clients will speed up the process. I waited patiently 5.5hrs for what was a serious internal bleeding issue, but not as critical as many others. The staff was amazing, completed a thorough exam and explained the cause and treatment options for our consideration. Highly recommended for pet emergencies.

This vet business is one of the best I've ever been to, and I've owned pets for 6 decades! Everyone, from the vet to the receptionist, treated my cat and me with the most care and respect I've ever encountered in a vet office. Yes, you might have to wait, but it is totally worth it. Just be patient, because they will keep you updated, give explicit instructions, and will answer all your questions thoughtfully. Thank you VMSG!

Dr Higgins and the Neurology department were great. Dr Higgins evaluation was explained in detail and he really put our minds at ease. We left feeling very confident with our treatment plan.

The professionals at this establishment saved our dog. They provided a correct diagnosis, follow up immediately, provided the necessary surgery and closely monitored her progress after surgery. There were several significant bumps in the road after the surgery, because of the way my dog responded, BUT this team managed through everything with skill. We are thrilled we have our dog back and going through a recovery process. We have used this facility many times with two dogs. They are excellent.

I had to take my dog to emergency for laceration repair. The staff at VMSG was welcoming and kind when I checked in at the front desk. I didn't have to wait long, and a very personable and informative vet tech came out to speak with me, before taking my dog back for treatment. After assessing my dog, the bvet came out to speak with me. She listened to my concerns, and her care took those concerns into consideration as much as possible. When the procedure was done, the vet came out and spoke with me. She was very down-to-earth and gave me an update on the procedure, and what I could expect post-procedure. She was patient while I asked several questions, and answered them all clearly. She told me to call if I had any further questions, or if any issues developed. I did have to call them later, and the staff was pleasant and answered my question.
I wouldn't hesitate to take my pet to VMSG again, should I have another emergency in the future.
I think we're fortunate to have this animal hospital right here in our midst for animal emergencies.

Taking a pet to the emergency vet is always stressful, but we had a great experience recently when we had to take our pup in the middle of the night. Two vets in particular were very thoughtful and helpful. Dr. Doncks was the vet on duty the night we went in. She was patient and thorough when explaining what was going on and what our options were. Dr. Enberg helped when we went to pick her up the following day and called three times after we went home to check on her. He also really went above and beyond by sending over her records to another pet ER just in case we needed to come back since VSMG wasn’t open at night over the weekend. Overall I was really happy with the care we received.

I was given referrals to several facilities by my vet for an oncology consultation and VMSG was able to see us the soonest. Dr. Ripoll and her assistant Daniela have both been wonderful and caring, taking the time to calmly but compassionately go through the diagnosis, treatment options and assurance that quality of life would continually be assessed. I always received timely and thorough responses to my many questions. Most importantly, my dog must've been treated well at the consult as when they walked off to take him to the back on our second visit, he did not tuck his tail and resist going along, he happily went off with Daniela. Heads up on both my visits I did end up being there hours longer than expected but understood that it was not due to overbooking but due to technicians unexpectedly having to leave which left them shorthanded.

We brought our Frenchie in for an emergency and the staff and the facility was first rate. Everyone was attentive and excellent. I came in on a holiday so there was a wait to see the doctor but they looked after my pup immediately. The doctor took a nice amount of time to explain the situation to me and help my dog.

Dr. Higgins and his staff saved my dog when no one else would or could. We have an Anatolian who is reactive protective breed and is not the easiest to examine to even get treatment. From the moment we got there the experience was completely different from anything we experienced. They put as at ease that they were experienced and were not afraid to handle and care for him. They took the time to see that he was a sweet dog underneath his tough reaction which no other vet had completely done before. I felt complete confidence in leaving him overnight in their care when I had never done that before. They found the issue that our other vet did not see and saved his life. Do not hesitate to take your dog here. We been to quite a few in the county and they are the best.
Thank you so much!

Really great place that I hate to go to. I would highly recommend this clinic for your pet. The staff and vets are top notch. Clinic is very clean and well lit. And for an after hours, no appointment emergency, it didn’t break the bank. My pet is healing just fine tonight. I would say the best in Ventura County, at least.